Bintulu Port has officially transitioned from a federal port to a Sarawak state port, with Bintulu Port Sdn Bhd (BPSB) continuing as the port operator under a new state regulatory framework.
Bintulu Port Holdings Bhd (BPHB) said the transition took effect on Sept 1, 2026, following the coming into force of the Declaration of an Area in the Bintulu District to be a Federal Port (Repeal) Act 2024 and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Act 2024.
The move places Bintulu Port under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak state government.
BPHB said its wholly owned subsidiary BPSB had earlier received approval in principle from Sarawak’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Port Development to be appointed as the approved port operator under the Port Authorities Ordinance 1961.
Pending execution of a formal Port Operation Concession Agreement, BPSB’s operation, management and development of Bintulu Port are being governed by a Heads of Agreement signed on July 27 between the Sarawak government, Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak) and BPSB.
With the transition taking effect, the privatisation agreement dated Dec 31, 1992 and the Fourth Interim Agreement dated Dec 22, 2025 between the federal government, Bintulu Port Authority and BPSB have ceased to have effect.
BPHB said a tripartite agreement dated June 21 also provides for the Sarawak government and BPSB to release the federal government from claims arising from or connected with the former privatisation arrangement.
As a result, BPSB is no longer operating Bintulu Port under the federal regulatory framework and will instead continue under arrangements with the Sarawak government and Bintulu Port Authority (Sarawak).
BPHB stressed that the transition will not affect day-to-day operations or continuity of services at Bintulu Port.
